Mountains to Molehills: 'Judge not'

Published: Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 2:26 p.m.

Tom Davis of the Inman community just over the border was curious about the crowd angry over required reading at a state-supported school in South Carolina, so he went to the library for a copy of “Out Loud: The Best of Rainbow Radio.” “As a straight Christian grandfather of six, I have been disappointed to read about the controversy ... and after carefully reading this short collection of essays and poems about the difficulties and discrimination faced by some of our citizens, I can only praise the university for having the courage to ask its entering students to consider one of this nation’s most timely equal rights issues,” says Mr. Davis. “In a time when technology allows us to listen only to voices with which we agree, where, if not a university, can we be exposed to views that might expand our horizons? As a lifelong Christian, I have always believed strongly in the words of Jesus Christ when he implored us to love all of God’s children as he does. It distresses me that some choose to use religious reasons to stigmatize, demonize and deny equal rights to others in the name of our Savior, who specifically tells us to ‘judge not!’ ”

TULIP EXTRAVAGANZA: After a rough winter, the first signs of spring are breaking ground, which means the 12th annual Tulip Extravaganza in downtown Hendersonville is just around the corner. You’ll see thousands of tulips start to bloom along Main Street in the next couple of weeks. The Tulip Extravaganza is scheduled for April 1-30, which includes the week of Passover and Easter. Many shops will hold an annual spring cleaning sidewalk sale April 11 and 12 during the height of the spring color. Downtown businesses hope residents will bring their out-of-town guests for a colorful month of shopping and dining. “They are actually right on schedule,” reports Barbara Hughes, owner of Narnia Studios on Main Street. “They couldn’t help it. They had a rough life this winter, but the last couple of weeks were seasonably warm.” “The bulbs we planted in the fall should be in full bloom the second and third week of April,” says Master Gardener Scott Johnson. “Lots of tulip leaves are already poking through the flower beds.” In addition, the annual tulip photo contest will occur throughout the month, with the deadline to enter being April 26. Winners of the photo contest will be announced April 30. All photos entered must be taken in downtown Hendersonville. Also in downtown Hendersonville to celebrate spring, the Easter Bonnet Promenade will take place at 11 a.m. April 19 at the gazebo on Main Street. This year, the contest will judge the best hat in two categories: ages 14 and younger and older folks. Winners are given a basket from Narnia. “Wear your finest or funniest hat and join in. The hats are voted on and prizes awarded,” Hughes says.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: The Mills River Farmers Market will hold its annual vendor meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station off Fanning Bridge Road in Mills River. Past and prospective vendors are encouraged to attend. The 2014 season offers quite a few changes and opportunities for local producers to get involved with a growing Farmers Market. Make plans to attend and see what the Mills River Farmers Market is doing in the community to promote and provide fresh and local produce, meats, baked goods, jams, jellies and more. For more information, call 891-3332. u Wrestling is coming to the Forest City National Guard Armory on Saturday. The doors will open at 7 p.m. Organizers will be collecting toiletries for the Grace of God Rescue Mission in Forest City. You’ll find the armory at 890 Withrow Road.

<p>Tom Davis of the Inman community just over the border was curious about the crowd angry over required reading at a state-supported school in South Carolina, so he went to the library for a copy of “Out Loud: The Best of Rainbow Radio.” “As a straight Christian grandfather of six, I have been disappointed to read about the controversy ... and after carefully reading this short collection of essays and poems about the difficulties and discrimination faced by some of our citizens, I can only praise the university for having the courage to ask its entering students to consider one of this nation's most timely equal rights issues,” says Mr. Davis. “In a time when technology allows us to listen only to voices with which we agree, where, if not a university, can we be exposed to views that might expand our horizons? As a lifelong Christian, I have always believed strongly in the words of Jesus Christ when he implored us to love all of God's children as he does. It distresses me that some choose to use religious reasons to stigmatize, demonize and deny equal rights to others in the name of our Savior, who specifically tells us to 'judge not!' ”</p><p>TULIP EXTRAVAGANZA: After a rough winter, the first signs of spring are breaking ground, which means the 12th annual Tulip Extravaganza in downtown Hendersonville is just around the corner. You'll see thousands of tulips start to bloom along Main Street in the next couple of weeks. The Tulip Extravaganza is scheduled for April 1-30, which includes the week of Passover and Easter. Many shops will hold an annual spring cleaning sidewalk sale April 11 and 12 during the height of the spring color. Downtown businesses hope residents will bring their out-of-town guests for a colorful month of shopping and dining. “They are actually right on schedule,” reports Barbara Hughes, owner of Narnia Studios on Main Street. “They couldn't help it. They had a rough life this winter, but the last couple of weeks were seasonably warm.” “The bulbs we planted in the fall should be in full bloom the second and third week of April,” says Master Gardener Scott Johnson. “Lots of tulip leaves are already poking through the flower beds.” In addition, the annual tulip photo contest will occur throughout the month, with the deadline to enter being April 26. Winners of the photo contest will be announced April 30. All photos entered must be taken in downtown Hendersonville. Also in downtown Hendersonville to celebrate spring, the Easter Bonnet Promenade will take place at 11 a.m. April 19 at the gazebo on Main Street. This year, the contest will judge the best hat in two categories: ages 14 and younger and older folks. Winners are given a basket from Narnia. “Wear your finest or funniest hat and join in. The hats are voted on and prizes awarded,” Hughes says.</p><p>LAST BUT NOT LEAST: The Mills River Farmers Market will hold its annual vendor meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station off Fanning Bridge Road in Mills River. Past and prospective vendors are encouraged to attend. The 2014 season offers quite a few changes and opportunities for local producers to get involved with a growing Farmers Market. Make plans to attend and see what the Mills River Farmers Market is doing in the community to promote and provide fresh and local produce, meats, baked goods, jams, jellies and more. For more information, call 891-3332. u Wrestling is coming to the Forest City National Guard Armory on Saturday. The doors will open at 7 p.m. Organizers will be collecting toiletries for the Grace of God Rescue Mission in Forest City. You'll find the armory at 890 Withrow Road.</p>